Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "combination" in conditioning, not just using a single herb excessively, but complementing each other to avoid side effects. Today, we discuss three common combinations for soothing the liver, each with its own rationale:

First, let’s talk about the first combination: Bupleurum + White Peony

Bupleurum is a master at soothing the liver, capable of smoothing out blocked liver qi and helping to lift yang energy upward. However, its nature tends to be dispersing, and prolonged use may deplete the yin fluids in the liver. At this point, adding white peony root is just right: it can nourish blood and soften the liver, essentially "replenishing fluids" for the liver.

If you usually experience hypochondriac distension and pain, often feel emotionally depressed, and also have dizziness and blurred vision, these are mostly signs of liver stagnation with some degree of blood deficiency. Using this combination can "address both soothing and nourishing," ensuring qi flows smoothly and liver blood is replenished, thereby improving issues like depression and dizziness.

Next, let's discuss the second combination: Cyperus rotundus + Chuanxiong.

Cyperus rotundus primarily regulates qi, while Chuanxiong primarily activates blood circulation. Together, they regulate both qi and blood: regulating qi without "draining it empty," and activating blood without harming it

If you usually experience pain and distension in the chest, ribs, and abdomen, with fixed localized pain and a purplish-dark tongue, this indicates liver depression and blood stasis. Using this combination can enhance the effect of moving qi and invigorating blood, unblocking both qi and blood. Naturally, the sensation of pain will improve.

Finally, let's talk about the third combination: turmeric + bergamot

When liver depression persists for a long time, many people may develop "excessive heat" symptoms, such as irritability and a bitter taste in the mouth. At this time, herbs that can both soothe the liver and clear heat are needed. Both turmeric and bergamot can soothe the liver and also clear the heat from the liver.

Turmeric tends to clear heat from the heart and cool the blood, clearing liver fire and dispersing stasis; bergamot tends to harmonize the middle and resolve phlegm, regulating the qi of the spleen and stomach and dissolving damp phlegm. When these two herbs are used together, they can both clear the heat transformed from liver depression and regulate qi to resolve phlegm, preventing the heat-clearing herbs from causing qi "stagnation" or harming the body's vital qi.

If you usually experience chest and flank pain, are prone to irritability and anger, have a bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat, accompanied by abdominal bloating and excessive phlegm, and are diagnosed as liver depression transforming into fire + spleen-stomach qi stagnation, using this combination can clear fire, regulate qi flow, and prevent stagnation in the spleen and stomach.

If you have symptoms like flank pain and emotional distress, you can share your specific symptoms, such as whether there is a bitter taste in the mouth or menstrual pain, and I can help you determine which combination approach is most suitable